Melissa Edwards

Ms. Melissa Edwards


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

16Years (2011-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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SOSid O'bryant
Sid O'bryant
MEMelissa Edwards
Melissa Edwards
CMChloe V. Menon
Chloe V. Menon
GGGordon Gong
Gordon Gong
RBRobert Barber
Robert Barber
Exposure to elements in groundwater (toxic or beneficial) is commonplace yet, outside of lead and mercury, little research has examined the impact of many commonly occurring environmental exposures on mental abilities during the aging process. Inorganic arsenic is a known neurotoxin that has both neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive consequences. The aim of this study was to examine the potential association between current and long-term arsenic exposure and detailed neuropsychological functioning in a sample of rural-dwelling adults and elders. Data were analyzed from 434 participants (133 men and 301 women) of Project FRONTIER, a community-based participatory research study of the epidemiology of health issues of rural-dwelling adults and elders. The results of the study showed that GIS-based groundwater arsenic exposure (current and long-term) was significantly related to poorer scores in language, visuospatial skills, and executive functioning. Additionally, long-term low-level exposure to arsenic was significantly correlated to poorer scores in global cognition, processing speed and immediate memory. The finding of a correlation between arsenic and the domains of executive functioning and memory is of critical importance as these are cognitive domains that reflect the earliest manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease. Additional work is warranted given the population health implications associated with long-term low-level arsenic exposure.

1 January 2011
Verified
Dataset
Closed access
MEMelissa Edwards
Melissa Edwards
CMCortney B. Mauer
Cortney B. Mauer
JHJames Hall
James Hall
RBRobert Barber
Robert Barber
SOSid O'bryant
Sid O'bryant

1 January 2011
Verified
Dataset
Closed access
CMCortney B. Mauer
Cortney B. Mauer
MEMelissa Edwards
Melissa Edwards
LJLeigh Johnson
Leigh Johnson
JHJames Richard Hall
James Richard Hall
SOSid O'bryant
Sid O'bryant